®
A GDYNETS PUBLICATION © 2010, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Car Collector ® Chronicles Volume III, Issue 2
Exploring:
Car Collector Chronicles
Barrett-Jackson 2010
Car collecting today Classic rides
The 2010 Phoenix version of the Barrett-Jackson extravaganza is in the books. At least the bookkeepers should have completed all their tallies and made the requisite bank deposits! Admit it, you watched, if only for an hour. I publicly acknowledge to you, the readers, that I am an avid viewer.
Reports from the field Oldsmobile Cadillac Corvair
Having come out of the closet, the question has be asked what conclusions are able to be drawn about this, and similar events?
IN THIS ISSUE:
Barrett-Jackson 2010
1
GDYNets® On the Web
1
B-J Rides of Note
4
Mother Nature 4 Strikes Out at AZ Pretenders B-J Selective Auction Results
5
How Much Is 6 Your Ride Worth? (B-J Photos) EMAIL: OldsD88@gmail.com
February 2010
The first conclusion has to be that none of the bidders travel in circles similar to those of CCC® readers! The second is that the miles put on these rides are racked up in the process of loading/unloading them at auctions or concours events. The pics transmitted from the auction block chassis cam bear this truth out. No car chassis, even one moderately driven, has a
better than factory fresh look. I mean, one could eat off the frames. Come on! Has anyone else noticed that over two or three years the same cars seem to keep crossing the auction block? I guess it does not take long for the allure , or is it the alcohol induced state, to wear off and better judgment to assert itself? Does Barrett-Jackson have an impact on the hobby? Is that impact positive or negative? In actuality, it is both. It is positive in the sense it has made more folks aware of collector cars. It has also made the hobby fashionable. It is negative in that it has inflated ridiculously the price of old rides and parts. Perhaps even worse, it has created the impression that for the masses the car collector hobby is limited to nothing more than a
spectator sport, instead of a being a hands-on, participatory activity all may enjoy. Viewers of the BarrettJackson dog & pony show must mutter to themselves, “I could never afford to own one of those cars!” Nothing could be further from the — Continued on p. 2.
GDYNets® on the Web WHERE YOU WILL FIND GDYNets (me) on the WWW: Dave’s Den http://GDYNets.WEBNG.com Saved 62 http://www.freewebs.com/ jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 55 Cad de Ville Car Collector Chronicles -
DAVE’S DEN:
A website devoted to a myriad of interests. Foremost is extensive information on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmobile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. Geo. Yaros.
SAVED 62: A website devoted
to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds. THE GRAY LADY: This website features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy information.
Car Collector Chronicles
Page 2
Barrett-Jackson 2010—Continued truth. This hobby has its roots in the wallets of those who were not “well heeled.” They bought old because it was all they could afford. By the time they could afford better, an attachment to the machine had arisen. So much so that they either kept the ride, or went out and located another. Never was the activity viewed, or pursued, as a profit making venture, a.k.a. business. Make no mistake about it, Barrett-Jackson is a business, BIG business. Not only is there the commission income, there is the television revenue (39 hours over 6 days), and who knows what else? Here is a sampling of some of the fees paid to Barrett-Jackson:
“This hobby has its roots in the wallets of those who where not ‘well heeled’.”
Seller Entry Fee - $600 - $1,500 (Depending on Lot #) Bidder Card - $500 Absentee Bidder Fee - $100 Buyer’s Premium - 10% Internet/Ph. Buyer’s Premium - 12% Seller’s Commission - 8% General Admission - $15 - $55 Week Pass - $160
Do the math. A ride hammers at $179,000. $196,900 actually changes hands. Of that, Barrett-Jackson gets $32,220 (18%), plus a $500 (Bidder Fee) and another $600, minimum (Seller Entry Fee), for a total of $33,320! I do find it more than interesting that while B-J gets its money instantly, sellers do not get paid until 21 days after the auction ends? That makes for more than a bit of interest income for B-J. Not all are enamored with the Barrett-Jackson way of doing things. In 2008, one disgruntled seller, an Illinois judge nonetheless, chained the wheels of his car after it sold, to prevent it from being transported by the buyer. The seller sued, claiming Barrett-Jackson brought the hammer down early, not providing enough time for bidders to consider the merits of his car. Ultimately, the seller dismissed his suit. Sensing a need to brush up its image, B-J, with appropriate fan fare (press releases), hired the accounting firm of Deloitte-Touche to perform and publish an audit. The report purports to attest to the business practices of BarrettJackson, LLC. It is all of 3 pages in length? Not a single dollar figure is ever mentioned! I guess Craig Jackson does not want the world to really know how much money he brings in? You may view the full report yourself at - http://www.barrett-jackson.com/media/ pressreleases/photos/Independent_Accountants_Report_Deloitte.pdf
Car Collector Chronicles
Page 3
Barrett-Jackson – Continued from p. 2 An anti B-J website (http://www.mystarcollectorcar.com/4community/letters-to-the-editor/442-barrett-jacksonthe-800-poundgorilla-we-pick-the-car-of-the-day.html) refers to the auction as “The 800 lb. gorilla.” It follows the auction online and picks a "Car of the Day." It approaches this exercise from the perspective of an imaginary buyer; a married guy who has some wiggle room on his buying power, and the conditional consent of consent of his wife. The wrinkle in the formula is they give a sober bid and drunk bid on the same car. This is because, let’s face it, the odd cocktail or two spilled at B-J has influenced auction bids; a lot! The folks at this site also pick one of these cars to be a “divorce car”. In other words, the fictional buyer is going to come home to a broken marriage after a drunken bid. ― Sounds interesting? There is more than a bit of the carnival aspect to the Scottsdale spectacular. All are encouraged to purchase “officially licensed” Barrett-Jackson merchandise; such as hats, t-shirts, license plates, flags, posters and fuzzy dice. You can even get an official B-J watch: BARRETT-JACKSON TIMEPIECE: WITH COMPLIMENTARY ENGRAVING (NOT TO EXCEED 4 LINES AND 56 CHARACTERS INCLUDING SPACES) Price: $395.00
It does appear that the lure for the buck is all consuming on the part of B-J. This year will see the addition of a fourth event to its annual auction lineup. The fourth auction will be held June 25-27 2010, at the Orange County (CA) Fair & Event Center. Thanks to B-J, one may now go to Scottsdale in January, Palm Springs, FL in April, Orange County, CA in June, or Las Vegas in September and breathe the rarified air of the moneyed upper crust. Can Chicago be far behind in terms of the B-J invasion; say in late October, maybe? How much longer before there will be a B-J extravaganza near you? Don’t get me wrong, it is indeed nice to see these rides being preserved. However, it is a real pity to have to endure gentrification of the hobby. The effect is, the price of rides for the rest of the us is driven through the roof. Remarkable cars end up being exchanged for ridiculous sums and subsequently seldom seen, let alone driven and enjoyed on the open road. That is not, in my opinion, what the hobby ever was, is, or should be about.
“[I]t is indeed nice to see these rides being preserved. However, it is a real pity to have to endure gentrification of the hobby.”
Car Collector Chronicles
Page 4;
B-J Rides of Note Having done my best to put B-J’s feet to the fire, I cannot deny some interesting cars did cross the block in Scottsdale. One that I found particularly unique was a 1957 Chevy 210. The 210 was a mid-range model in the Chevrolet line. What made this one unique was that if was a 2-door hardtop. I have seen many a 210 in my time, but this was the first 210 I have ever seen in a hardtop configuration. It went to a new home for a mere $70,000 hammer price. Equally remarkable was a 1967 Chevy Nova that sold for $173,000! For those with an interest, I have provided on Page 5 the B-J results for sales of all Oldsmobiles, 1955 Caddys, Allantés and Corvairs. Yes, two Corvairs did cross the block, but no one ever saw them on television! Page 6 has pictures of a few cars sold. 2010 did witness an increased interest in trucks. Naturally, an increase in interest also translates into increases in prices. It seemed no matter the year or marque, trucks were bringing high dollars. Every truck seemed to sport a wood bed. It reminds me of what, as an Oldsmobile owner, I see at Olds car shows. At these shows, one sees today far more Oldsmobiles with a J-2 (3 deuces) set up than were ever manufactured by Oldsmobile back in the day. If B-J is to be used as a gauge, every truck that was ever manufactured rolled off the line with a lacquered, hand-rubbed, oak-planked bed. I am here to tell you, “It ain’t so, folks!”
Mother Nature Strikes Out at AZ Pretenders While B-J was laughing all the way to the bank, Russo-Steele was taking a hit. Its Scottsdale event was ravaged by severe rain storms. The display tents were ripped from their moorings. Some 300 cars were damaged from flying tent poles and canvas, to the tune of $1.5 Million. More than a few convertibles, with the tops down, were left out in the open all night, soaking up all that Mother Nature chose to pour down on them. I suspect Hagerty Insurance had to send disaster teams to the site? Was Mother Nature expressing her angst at the usurpation of the hobby by the high rollers? Ok, I have had my say for this month. Now it is your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and contributions, and ask that you do help spread the word about our pub. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to: OldsD88@gmail.com _________________________________________________
— RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM! COMING NEXT ISSUE: [Ed. Note - The issue originally planned for Feb. has been pre-empted by this B-J report.] One Thing Leads to Another (Buying the car is just the start) Allanté Quirks Reach of Car Collector Chronicles® Cuban Classic Cars
Car Collector Chronicles
Page 5;
B-J Results Scottsdale 2010 (Olds-Cadillac-Corvair) Lot # Year 38 1958 95 1965 97 1972 404 1967 440 1992 462 1953 605 1977 635.1 1968 651 1961 696.1 1970 700.2 1967 761 1968 975.3 1957 1010 1971 1038 1967 1039 1966 1041 1957 1047 1957 1076 1966 1215 1970 1221.1 1966 1222 1972 1244 1971 1248 1948 1269 1970 1276 1970 1337.1 1971 1505 1966 1525 1959 1577 1964
Make OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
Model SUPER 88 CUTLASS 442 CUTLASS 442 88 ROYALE 88 TORONADO CUTLASS SUPREME 98 RALLYE 350 CUTLASS CUTLASS SUPER 88 442 442 F-85 DELUXE 442 98 STARFIRE SUPER 88 442 CUTLASS CUTLASS 442 CUTLASS 442 W30 WOODY 442 W30 442 W30 442 CUTLASS 88 442
Style _ 4 DOOR SEDAN 2 DOOR HARDTOP 2 DOOR HARDTOP 442 RE-CREATION 2 DOOR 4 DOOR SEDAN 2 DOOR SEDAN 2 DOOR HARDTOP 2 DOOR CONVERTIBLE HOLIDAY COUPE COUPE CONVERTIBLE CUSTOM 2 DOOR HARDTOP FIESTA WAGON CONVERTIBLE 2 DOOR HARDTOP 2 DOOR HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE 2 DOOR HARDTOP 2 DOOR HOLIDAY COUPE CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE 4 DOOR WAGON CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE COUPE CUSTOM 2 DOOR HARDTOP DOOR HARDTOP
Price $ 19,800 27,500 28,600 32,450 8,250 25,300 8,580 25,300 17,600 25,300 30,800 30,800 52,800 83,600 71,500 121,000 71,500 66,000 33,000 33,000 38,500 44,000 85,800 71,500 222,200 159,500 84,700 7,150 11,000 --
12 314.1 620
1988 1989 1993
CADILLAC CADILLAC CADILLAC
ALLANTE ALLANTE ALLANTE
CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE
10,010 11,500 13,200
359
1955
CADILLAC
FLEETWOOD
4 DOOR SEDAN
12,650
14 335
1966 1963
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
CORVAIR CORVAIR MONZA
2 DOOR HARDTOP COUPE
5,280 17,050
Total auction sales in Scottsdale came to approximately $35,000,000. That sum yields a gross income (excluding earned interest on all seller sums held for 21 days) to BarrettJackson of nearly $6,000,000; or $1,000,000 per day! Not a bad gig?
Car Collector Chronicles
Page 6;
How Much Is Your Ride Worth? A 1957 Chevrolet 210 Hardtop. This baby crossed the block at $70,000!
While this ‘67 Nova was hammered at $173,000!
The ‘48 Olds woody went up for a mere $71,500.
A $222,200 Oldsmobile (1970 442—W30).
Photos property of sellers/consignors, and furnished to Barrett-Jackson, LLC.